I HATE LOVING YOU

Lena Prescott sat in the modest, softly lit study of the Prescott family house, nervously tracing the edge of the marriage contract in front of her.

The room, filled with the aroma of ancient leather and the ticking of a grandfather clock, appeared to press in on her, each tick seeming like a countdown to her demise.

She'd read the text a dozen times, but the words still felt strange, like if they were from someone else's life rather than her own.

She looked at the framed images on the mantle, which depict brighter times. Her parents smiled and held her and her brother James tight. They were no longer with them, having died in an accident when Lena was eighteen. All she had left was James.

"Lena, are you listening?" James' words sliced through her thoughts and brought her back to the present. He sat across from her, his face a mixture of concern and resolve.

Lena looked up at him, her heart heavy. "I'm sorry, I... I just can't believe this is happening."

James reached across the table, taking her hand in his. His grip was firm, reassuring. "I know this isn't what you wanted. It's not what I wanted for you either, but we're out of options. If we don't do this, we'll lose everything. The business, the house... We won't survive."

Lena swallowed hard, the reality of their situation settling like a stone in her stomach. The Prescott family business, a once-thriving company that her father had built from the ground up, was on the brink of collapse.

Years of bad investments and economic downturns had left them drowning in debt. And now, their only chance of salvation lay in the hands of Adrian Calloway, the man she had once loved and who now despised her.

"I don't understand why it has to be me," Lena whispered, her voice trembling. "Why does Adrian want to marry me? He hates me, James. You know that."

James sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I don't know, Lena. Maybe it's some twisted way of getting back at you, or maybe it's something else entirely.

But whatever his reasons, this is our only way out. If you sign that contract, the debt is wiped clean. You and I can keep the business and the house."

Lena's hand shook as she picked up the pen, her mind racing. She had loved Adrian once, so deeply that it hurt to even think about him now.

They had been so close, inseparable as teenagers. But that was before Victoria, Adrian's younger sister, had died. A night that had shattered their lives and their friendship forever.

"I don't have a choice, do I?" Lena's voice was barely a whisper as she stared down at the contract.

James's grip tightened on her hand. "I'm sorry, Lena. I wish I could do something, anything, to fix this. But we're out of time. If you don't sign this, everything Mom and Dad worked for will be gone."

Lena closed her eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. She thought of her parents, how proud they had been of their family and their business.

They had always believed in her, always supported her dreams. And now, she was about to give up everything she had ever wanted for a life she hadn't chosen.

"I'll do it," she finally said, her voice hollow. "I'll marry him."

James's face was a mix of relief and guilt. He pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close. "Thank you, Lena. You're saving us."

But Lena didn't feel like a savior. She felt like she was signing her life away.

As she signed the contract, each stroke of the pen felt like a nail in her coffin. She was committing herself to a man who hated her, who blamed her for a tragedy she couldn't even remember. A man who, despite their shared past, now looked at her with nothing but cold disdain.

When she finished, she pushed the contract away, unable to look at it any longer. The deal was done. She was bound to Adrian Calloway in a way that she had never imagined, and the thought of it made her stomach churn.

"Lena," James began, his voice gentle, "I know this is hard, but maybe... maybe it won't be as bad as you think. Maybe once you're married, things will change."

Lena gave him a sad smile, not believing a word of it. "Maybe," she lied, though she knew that nothing would change Adrian's mind. He had made it clear that this marriage was a business transaction, nothing more. A way for him to save her family while simultaneously punishing her for a crime she couldn't even remember committing.

As James left the room, Lena stayed behind, her gaze fixed on the contract she had just signed. She knew that her life was about to change forever, and not in the way she had once dreamed.

There would be no fairy tale ending, no happily ever after. Only a cold, loveless marriage and the constant reminder of the hatred Adrian held for her.

Lena stood and walked over to the window, staring out at the darkening sky. Somewhere out there, Adrian was waiting for her, ready to claim her as his wife. And as much as she tried to brace herself for what was to come, Lena couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking straight into a trap.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to see James standing in the doorway, his expression filled with concern.

"Lena, are you okay?" he asked, stepping into the room.

She nodded, though the weight in her chest told her otherwise. "I'll be fine, James. Don't worry about me."

James hesitated, then pulled her into another hug. "I'm so sorry, Lena. I wish things were different."

Lena hugged him back, grateful for his presence. "Me too, James. Me too."

As they stood there, the weight of what she had just done settled over Lena like a dark cloud. She had sacrificed her dreams, her freedom, and her heart to save her family. And in doing so, she had bound herself to a man who would never love her, who would only ever see her as the enemy.

And as Lena lay in bed that night, staring up at the ceiling, the reality of her situation sank in. She was no longer Lena Prescott and she had no idea how she was going to survive this.

She was soon to be Lena Calloway, the wife of a man who would stop at nothing to make her pay for the sins of the past.

Have you ever wanted something so bad and still not want it?

The quiet murmur of conversation in the chapel permeated the room like static electricity. Lena stood at the church door, her knuckles white with pressure as she held on to the exquisite lace adorning her bridal gown. The garment was everything she had ever imagined as a little girl, with its delicate white fabric and elaborate patterns.

However, her heart was filled with a mixture of suspense and fear rather than the ecstatic delight she had expected. Though every instinct told her to run away, there was a glimmer of optimism hidden behind the anxiety, the hope that maybe, just maybe, today would be the start of something new for her and Adrian.

Her brother James, standing beside her, gave her a gentle nudge. "It's time, Lena," he whispered, his voice thick with concern. His eyes searched hers, silently asking if she was sure, if she could really go through with this.

Lena gave a hesitant, tepid smile and nodded. Too much was at risk for her to make a mistake at this point. Not when their future and James's were involved.

Above all, she could not let go of the little hope that Adrian may reconsider and that, deep down, the man she loved was still alive. She took a deep breath and walked down the aisle, her pulse pounding.

She took a big breath, trying to gather herself, but there was something strange in her gaze. They darted around the room, searching for him.

Adrian Calloway was standing there at the altar, waiting for his bride like a king. Pulling back his dark hair, his tailored suit fitting him perfectly, exuding power and control. His handsome face was a mask of indifference, cold and unyielding.

As their eyes locked, Lena felt her heart pound violently in her chest. There was no longer any trace of warmth or affection in his eyes. Just a glaring flame of animosity and unwavering determination. Even with the cold expression in his eyes, Lena hoped that seeing herself in her wedding dress would remind him of their previous love and friendship.

The guests got up and stared and gushed at her as she walked in, but she barely regarded them. She was staring at Adrian with her whole being as he stood at the altar, his expression ambiguous.

He was every bit as powerful and commanding as she remembered, yet the compassion she had previously experienced in his eyes was long gone. Now, they were cold, hard, like shards of ice that could cut her if she got too close.

"I'm so sorry, Lena. I wish there was another way." James sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

She gave him a sad smile, her eyes misting over. "Me too, James. Me too."

The wedding march started softly, indicating that the ceremony was about to begin. Taking her initial step forward, Lena's stomach churned, every movement feeling like a battle due to the weight of her garment. Her gown's exquisite, detailed lace felt like chains pulling her down and sealing her fate.

A tiny part of her, nevertheless, believed that this moment-this union-might be the beginning of something new when she got to Adrian. She shivered at the sensation of his fingers. His hug was hard, even punitive, as though he were imprisoning her rather than embracing her.

The priest began to speak, his voice a distant drone in Lena's ears. She barely heard the words, her mind too crowded with memories of the past.

She remembered the nights they had spent together, laughing and talking until the sun rose. She remembered the way he used to look at her, with so much affection that it made her heart swell.

She remembered the way he held her when she cried, the way he promised to always be there for her. But that was before Victoria died. Before everything fell apart.

"Do you, Adrian Calloway, take Lena Prescott to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest's voice cut through her thoughts, bringing her back to the present.

Adrian's voice was cold, emotionless. "I do."

The tone of his voice startled Lena; it was so unlike the comfort she had known before. Despite the fact that every word felt like a dagger cutting through her heart, she clung to the notion that this would be the beginning of the end for their rift.

"And do you, Lena Prescott, take Adrian Calloway to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Lena felt her breath catch in her throat. She had the impression that she was gazing down into a chasm from the edge of a cliff. She would be lost forever with just one false step.

However, there was no turning back now. This has to be done by her. In honor of James. For her parents who have passed away. for all that they had constructed. And for the hope that Adrian could come to love her once more in due course.

"I do," she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of her decision.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest declared, a cheerfulness in his tone unknown of the chaos he just bound. "You may now kiss the bride."

With her heart thumping so loudly she was certain Adrian could hear it, Lena turned to face him. His eyes conveyed a cold, calculating look, as though he was planning the most effective method to get even.

With a slight hint of a kiss, he leaned in and lightly brushed her lips. It was a formality, quick. However, Lena felt a sensation that wasn't at all cold. However, even then, she dreamed that his kisses might mean more in the future.

The reception was a swirl of fake grins and meaningless congrats. With her head numb to the events surrounding her, Lena walked through the crowd like a ghost. Disconnected from the reality of her own circumstances, she felt as though she was seeing the events of someone else's life. However, she occasionally cast glances at Adrian, hoping to get a peek of him.

Adrian was always by her side, yet he seemed just as distant and icy as he had been at the altar. He didn't say much, and his answers were concise and direct. His words and touches lacked warmth and affection. He was only carrying out his obligation, making the necessary arrangements.

As the night wore on, Lena found herself standing alone on the balcony, staring out at the night sky. Gleaming in the darkness like faint recollections, the stars shone brightly. She wanted to be able to grab hold of them, cling to them like she wished she could cling to the past.

A shiver shot through her back, and she spun around to see Adrian staring at her from the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"You should come back inside," he said, his voice as cold as the wind that whipped around them. "The guests are waiting."

Lena nodded, but she didn't move. She couldn't. She needed to say something, to try and reach the part of him that she had once known, the part that still cared. "Adrian, I..."

"Don't," he interrupted, his tone sharp. "Don't try to make this something it's not. We're married, yes, but this is pure business, nothing more."

Lena's heart sank at his words, the final nail in the coffin of her hopes. "I know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I just... I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."

Adrian's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "Sorry? For what? For ruining my life? For my sister's death?"

Lena flinched at the venom in his words, tears welling up in her eyes. "I didn't mean for any of that to happen, Adrian. I didn't... I don't even remember what happened that night."

He stepped closer, his eyes burning with anger. "You don't remember? Or you just don't want to admit what you did?"

Lena shook her head, the tears spilling over. "I swear, Adrian, I don't remember. I've tried, but it's like a blank spot in my memory."

Adrian's lips curled into a sneer. "Convenient, isn't it? But it doesn't matter. You'll pay for it, Lena. One way or another, you'll pay."

Lena's eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. "I don't know, Adrian. I wish I could remember, but I can't. All I know is that I would never do anything to hurt you or your sister. Please, you have to believe me."

"Believe you?" Adrian scoffed, his voice cold and distant. "You think that's enough? You think your empty apologies will bring her back? You think they'll erase the fact that you were the one who took her from me?"

Lena felt a sharp pain in her chest, her breath catching in her throat. "I didn't-"

"Save it," Adrian cut her off, his eyes burning with anger. "I don't want to hear your lies. You've already done enough damage."

With a heart full of grief, Adrian turned and left Lena alone on the balcony, uttering those final, cruel words.

She knew it would be useless, but she still wanted to stand up for herself and convince him that she wasn't the monster he thought her to be. Nothing she said would change the fact that he already had his mind made up.

The sound of the door behind her opening caused Lena to turn, but it was not Adrian who came out onto the balcony. It was James, a mix of worry and displeasure on his face.

"Lena," he said softly, walking over to her. "I saw Adrain leaving so I guessed you would be here. Are you okay?"

Lena forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine, James. Just...thinking."

James frowned, his eyes narrowing as he studied her face. "You don't have to lie to me, Lena. I know this is hard for you."

Lena's heart ached at his words, but she couldn't bring herself to agree. "I know, James. But I can't just give up on the business. And I love him." It was hard admitting that.

James sighed, his expression pained. "I know you do, but love isn't always enough, Lena."

Lena forced a smile. She knew James meant well, but he didn't understand. He didn't know what it was like to love someone so much that it consumed you, that it became a part of who you were. She couldn't just walk away from that, no matter how much it hurt.

Not quite yet. Not until she'd used up whatever hope remained in her. She had to seize the opportunity if Adrian had the tiniest possibility of falling in love with her again. She had to give it a shot.

Lena turned and walked back inside, determined to keep fighting for the man she loved. No matter the cost.

What happened that night? Why did she have to suffer for something she didn't remember?

The air between them was chilly and the walls of Adrian's estate looked huge as the place grew silent.

Setting her suitcase down in the stately entryway, Lena stood at the doorway of her new life, her hands shaking. Her bridal gown still clung to her body with its exquisite lace.

She turned to look at her husband, who was standing a few feet away, his eyes hardened with a bitterness that appeared to be getting stronger by the moment.

"It is beautiful," Lena said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes, taken in the mansion.

Adrian didn't respond right away. He stood still, staring at her as though she were an unwelcome guest in his home.

His dark hair fell messily over his brow, and his hands were shoved deep into the pockets of his tailored suit, but his posture remained rigid, his shoulders tense with unspoken contempt.

Finally, he spoke, "You'll be staying in the guest room."

Lena blinked, taken aback. "What? The guest room?"

"Yes." His gaze met hers briefly before flickering away, his lips twisting into a sneer. "You didn't think we'd be sharing a bed, did you?"

The coldness in his voice stung, and Lena's heart sank. She had known this wouldn't be easy, that Adrian wasn't the same man he once was, but hearing those words made the reality of her situation settle deep in her bones.

This wasn't just a marriage in name only; it was a prison sentence, and Adrian was determined to keep her locked away.

"I thought..." Lena trailed off, unsure of what to say. She had thought maybe, just maybe, with time, things would change. That perhaps Adrian would soften, that they could work through the pain of the past. But now, standing before him, she realized just how naïve she had been.

Adrian took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as they bore into hers. "Don't mistake this for anything other than what it is, Lena. You and I...we're nothing. This marriage is a necessity, and the fact that it gives me joy ruining your perfect picture marriage you have always had as a teenager. And don't you ever forget that."

Lena swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure. Her chest felt tight, like her ribs were caving in on her heart, squeezing it until there was no room left for comfort.

"Adrian, please," she said quietly, her voice trembling despite her best efforts. "I know you hate me, but can't we at least try to..."

"Try?" Adrian's laugh was harsh, bitter. "You want to try? After everything?"

His sudden anger made Lena flinch, and she took a step back, her hand instinctively going to her chest as if to shield herself from the blow she knew was coming, not a physical one, but the emotional lash of his words.

Adrian's expression darkened, his eyes filled with a cold fury. "Don't act like you don't know why I hate you, Lena. Don't stand there and pretend you're innocent."

Her throat tightened, and she looked away, unable to meet his gaze any longer. She didn't know what to say. He had hated her since that night, since Victoria's death, and no matter how many times she tried to explain that she didn't remember what had happened, he refused to believe her.

"I've tried to be patient," Adrian said, his voice low and dangerous. "I've tried to give you the benefit of the doubt. But the truth is, I know you're hiding something. I know you're not telling me the whole story."

"I'm not-" Lena started, but Adrian cut her off with a sharp wave of his hand.

"Enough," he snapped. "I don't want to hear it."

What could she say that she hadn't already said a hundred times before? He wouldn't believe her, no matter how much she pleaded for him to understand.

Adrian turned away from her, his shoulders rigid as he walked toward the stairs. "Put your things in the guest room," he said over his shoulder, his tone final. "We're done here."

Lena stood motionless as he climbed the steps, her thoughts racing. Adrian was taking every step away from her, and it felt like she was slipping into quicksand with the ground disintegrating beneath her. Never before has she felt so alone.

She watched his leaving form as her eyes strayed to the big staircase, briefly wondering how they had gotten to be here, two people who had been so close, now stuck in an accusation-filled, resentful marriage. How had things ended up here?

Later that evening, Lena sat by herself in the guest room Adrian had given her, feeling very much alone. The bed felt too big, too vacant.

The linens were new and pristine, and regardless of how many times she shifted, she couldn't get comfortable. She stared up at the ceiling, the shadows dancing in the moonlight filtering through the curtains.

She reminisced about the past, about the Adrian she had known in the past; the kind, devoted, and protective Adrian. The man who used to be her confidant and friend. But that man was gone, and his place was taken by a man overcome with sorrow and rage. Someone who treated her as though she were the enemy.

Lena rubbed her weary eyes and moaned. She had trouble falling asleep. Her thoughts refused to let her sleep. Her mind was filled with Adrian's previous remarks, all of which were tinged with resentment and poison. "You can tell lies to other people, but not to me. I am aware that you were present that evening and that you bear responsibility.

A knock at the door startled her, and she sat up quickly, her heart racing. For a moment, she thought it might be Adrian, but when the door slowly creaked open, it was one of the house staff, a young maid with a kind face.

"Mrs. Calloway?" the maid said softly, stepping into the room. "I brought you some tea. I thought it might help you sleep."

Lena smiled weakly, though the gesture didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.

The maid placed the tray on the bedside table, her eyes sympathetic. "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

Lena shook her head, glancing down at her hands. "No... I'm fine."

The maid hesitated for a moment, as if she wanted to say more, but then she simply nodded and left the room, leaving Lena alone once more.

Lena wrapped her hands around the warm cup of tea, feeling the heat seep into her skin, though it did little to chase away the chill that had settled deep in her bones.

She took a small sip, the warmth easing the tightness in her throat, but it wasn't enough to soothe the ache in her heart. Adrian's resentment toward her wasn't going to go away anytime soon, and the thought of spending the rest of her life in this house, with a man who hated her, filled her with a sense of dread.

For now, all she could do was endure.